May this Scotch Ale be my Friday nightcap. It's smoked. And aged in a rye whiskey barrel for 27 months. Sounds fascinating. The beer wears translucent auburn. The carbonation behaves obediently but not timidly. A pale beige froth remains at half a finger and descends soon to a gossamer ring. Vanilla and fig win the race to my nose. The next wave includes date and raisin. A modest note of smoky whiskey whirls into the medley of biscuit and cereal. While the scent is gentle and velvety, the taste profile shows a lot more temper. Rye whiskey is absolutely dominant on both sides of the tongue. Oak barrel, a touch of smoke, distant date and rye cracker seal the deal this time. Overall, arrogant but not aggressive. Complexity is not the best gustatory asset. The body is medium-full to full. Not superimpressive anyway. The finish slams against my tastebuds, gently but determinedly. The mouthfeel is medium-full, thinly smoky, intense and barrel aged. There's a gentle touch underneath although the general punch is quite bold. Balanced? Well, sort of. Interesting, at least.